Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — March 2010
2 Corinthians 4 -- A Concentrated Dose of "Nots"
As I read this chapter today, for some reason I thought of those people who spend entire conversations describing their own physical ailments, doctor’s visits, aches, and pains. I often find myself wanting to tell them that the next 30 mi
As I read this chapter today, for some reason I thought of those people who spend entire conversations describing their own physical ailments, doctor's visits, aches, and pains. I often find myself wanting to tell them that the next 30 minutes must only be spent describing the wonderful things in their lives - for their own good!
From verse 7 to the end of the chapter, I saw a repeating "bad, but good" back-and-forth going on.
The "bad": We have troubles all around us ... We do not know what to do ... We are persecuted ... We are hurt sometimes ... We carry the death of Jesus in our own bodies ... We are always in danger of death ... Our physical body is becoming old and weaker ... We have small troubles ... What we see will last only a short time ..."
If it weren't for the "buts" that followed each one, you could easily tire of hearing this. I discovered that it helps every so often to just leave the negatives out - sort of like getting a booster shot of hope and encouragement.
Here's what resulted: "We are not defeated ... We do not give up the hope of living ... God does not leave us ... We are not destroyed ... The life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies ... We are alive ... We do not give up ... Our spirit inside us is made new every day ... We are gaining and eternal glory ... What we cannot see will last FOREVER."
Wow, Father! Thanks for that awesome pep talk! Thanks for letting me grasp a little eternity this morning!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
From verse 7 to the end of the chapter, I saw a repeating "bad, but good" back-and-forth going on.
The "bad": We have troubles all around us ... We do not know what to do ... We are persecuted ... We are hurt sometimes ... We carry the death of Jesus in our own bodies ... We are always in danger of death ... Our physical body is becoming old and weaker ... We have small troubles ... What we see will last only a short time ..."
If it weren't for the "buts" that followed each one, you could easily tire of hearing this. I discovered that it helps every so often to just leave the negatives out - sort of like getting a booster shot of hope and encouragement.
Here's what resulted: "We are not defeated ... We do not give up the hope of living ... God does not leave us ... We are not destroyed ... The life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies ... We are alive ... We do not give up ... Our spirit inside us is made new every day ... We are gaining and eternal glory ... What we cannot see will last FOREVER."
Wow, Father! Thanks for that awesome pep talk! Thanks for letting me grasp a little eternity this morning!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 5 -- What We Lost With Democracy
I wanted so much to explore the "heavenly homesickness" that Paul describes in this chapter, but God seems to be moving me on a different tack. As Americans, we gained so much when democracy was established here at the founding of
I wanted so much to explore the "heavenly homesickness" that Paul describes in this chapter, but God seems to be moving me on a different tack.
As Americans, we gained so much when democracy was established here at the founding of our country. But I sense there was one thing we lost in struggling free of England's grasp - a comprehension of that certain specialness of royalty. The belief had always been that royalty had been ordained by God as rulers of the land, and that God had sustained the royal line through the centuries for this very purpose. The sense with which royalty was treated and held in respect and awe and separateness was a helpful picture on earth enabling us to visualize the separateness and the holiness of God from us. The protocols for approaching royalty in some ways helped us to understand the attitude and position we should undertake as we dared to approach our God. There was a specialness and even reverence in entering the earthly throne room. One had to be bidden to enter. Even in the Bible, we see this as Esther approached her husband, the king, not knowing whether her appearance unbidden would result in her death. One would never expect to observe weakness in royalty, and indeed royalty would never BEG. I remember getting a sense of this as I entered the throne room (no longer serving as a throne room of course) of Peter the Great, one of the Russian tsars, in St. Petersburg, Russia.
So what does this have to do with 2 Corinthians 5? It's in verse 20: "So we have been sent to speak for Christ (a diplomat serving royalty). It is as if God is calling to you through us. We speak for Christ when we BEG you to be at peace with God." My commentary put it this way: "That is the glory of the gospel, that, in it, God is actually on bended knee and with tear-dimmed eye BEGGING ME to be reconciled with Him". He loves me and wants me with Him that much! No earthly king would do that.
My commentary continued: "If any enmity exists, it exists on man's part. God has removed any barriers to complete fellowship between Himself and man." That surely doesn't sound like any earthly king!
Father, I'd have no right whatsoever to approach You, let alone to beg for forgiveness for the sins I've committed against You and You alone. It's only because You first desired that I be with You that You expended the immeasurable expense of the death of Your Son for me. And now You even allow me to come boldly before Your throne because You've made me Your friend. It is all more than I will ever be able to comprehend. I can only say "Thank You!"
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
As Americans, we gained so much when democracy was established here at the founding of our country. But I sense there was one thing we lost in struggling free of England's grasp - a comprehension of that certain specialness of royalty. The belief had always been that royalty had been ordained by God as rulers of the land, and that God had sustained the royal line through the centuries for this very purpose. The sense with which royalty was treated and held in respect and awe and separateness was a helpful picture on earth enabling us to visualize the separateness and the holiness of God from us. The protocols for approaching royalty in some ways helped us to understand the attitude and position we should undertake as we dared to approach our God. There was a specialness and even reverence in entering the earthly throne room. One had to be bidden to enter. Even in the Bible, we see this as Esther approached her husband, the king, not knowing whether her appearance unbidden would result in her death. One would never expect to observe weakness in royalty, and indeed royalty would never BEG. I remember getting a sense of this as I entered the throne room (no longer serving as a throne room of course) of Peter the Great, one of the Russian tsars, in St. Petersburg, Russia.
So what does this have to do with 2 Corinthians 5? It's in verse 20: "So we have been sent to speak for Christ (a diplomat serving royalty). It is as if God is calling to you through us. We speak for Christ when we BEG you to be at peace with God." My commentary put it this way: "That is the glory of the gospel, that, in it, God is actually on bended knee and with tear-dimmed eye BEGGING ME to be reconciled with Him". He loves me and wants me with Him that much! No earthly king would do that.
My commentary continued: "If any enmity exists, it exists on man's part. God has removed any barriers to complete fellowship between Himself and man." That surely doesn't sound like any earthly king!
Father, I'd have no right whatsoever to approach You, let alone to beg for forgiveness for the sins I've committed against You and You alone. It's only because You first desired that I be with You that You expended the immeasurable expense of the death of Your Son for me. And now You even allow me to come boldly before Your throne because You've made me Your friend. It is all more than I will ever be able to comprehend. I can only say "Thank You!"
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 6 -- "Come Out", Not Kicked Out
Paul issues a warning to Christians in verses 14-18, cautioning us about separation from evil - in particular he speaks of our friendships and business relationships with unsaved people. My commentary says, "A Christian should maintain
Paul issues a warning to Christians in verses 14-18, cautioning us about separation from evil - in particular he speaks of our friendships and business relationships with unsaved people.
My commentary says, "A Christian should maintain contact with the unsaved in an effort to win them to Christ, but he should never engage in their sinful pleasures or in any of their activities in such a way as to lead them to think he is no different than they ... Can there ever be peace between Christ and Satan? Obviously not! Neither can there be fellowship between a believer and an unbeliever. To attempt it is treason against the Lord."
This can really sound harsh in our world today, where tolerance is not only preached but literally crammed down the throats of Christians. Yes, we can be friends with unbelievers; however we cannot partake in any activities of theirs that would ruin our witness for Christ. We cannot "do what they do" in any effort to win them over. Satan will only use it to drag us down.
Verse 17 says, "Leave those people, and be separate, says the Lord. Touch nothing that I unclean, and I will accept you." If we worry that this will cause us to have no friends, we only need to keep reading: "I will be your father and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
My commentary agreed: "These are God's plain instructions to His people concerning separation from evil. Christians are not to stay in the midst of it, be part of it, in order to remedy it. God's program is "come out" ... By doing so, we will experience the joys and delights of sonship in a way we never have before."
Father, I know that it may seem lonely at times not engaging in activities where my witness may be spoiled, and over time the world may actually attempt to ostracize us for not going along, but there's really not even a tradeoff involved, for You more than make up for any "loss" the world might have us believe we are incurring by Your comfort and peace bestowed upon us.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My commentary says, "A Christian should maintain contact with the unsaved in an effort to win them to Christ, but he should never engage in their sinful pleasures or in any of their activities in such a way as to lead them to think he is no different than they ... Can there ever be peace between Christ and Satan? Obviously not! Neither can there be fellowship between a believer and an unbeliever. To attempt it is treason against the Lord."
This can really sound harsh in our world today, where tolerance is not only preached but literally crammed down the throats of Christians. Yes, we can be friends with unbelievers; however we cannot partake in any activities of theirs that would ruin our witness for Christ. We cannot "do what they do" in any effort to win them over. Satan will only use it to drag us down.
Verse 17 says, "Leave those people, and be separate, says the Lord. Touch nothing that I unclean, and I will accept you." If we worry that this will cause us to have no friends, we only need to keep reading: "I will be your father and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
My commentary agreed: "These are God's plain instructions to His people concerning separation from evil. Christians are not to stay in the midst of it, be part of it, in order to remedy it. God's program is "come out" ... By doing so, we will experience the joys and delights of sonship in a way we never have before."
Father, I know that it may seem lonely at times not engaging in activities where my witness may be spoiled, and over time the world may actually attempt to ostracize us for not going along, but there's really not even a tradeoff involved, for You more than make up for any "loss" the world might have us believe we are incurring by Your comfort and peace bestowed upon us.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 7 -- A Good Kind Of Hurt
Paul writes: "Your sorrow made you change your lives. You became sad in the way God wanted you to .... The kind of sorrow God wants makes people change their hearts and lives ... See what this sorrow - the sorrow God wanted you to ha
Paul writes: "Your sorrow made you change your lives. You became sad in the way God wanted you to .... The kind of sorrow God wants makes people change their hearts and lives ... See what this sorrow - the sorrow God wanted you to have - has done to you: .... It made you care."
No one wants to feel bad about themselves. Unfortunately we often set ourselves up for just that when we begin to deviate from the path and plan God has for us when we sin. So long as we feel good, we have no impetus or desire to change, in much the same way that one might put off surgery until the pain becomes unbearable. That's the point where God begins to introduce discontent and unfulfillment into our lives as we choose to sin. The Holy Spirit brings an awareness of sin to us, which produces this godly sorrow. God intends for this sorrow to initiate true repentance in order to bring us back to Himself. "The kind of sorrow God wants" is a good thing. It's just a shame that we bring it upon ourselves by our choosing to sin.
Father, thank You for the times when You've made me absolutely miserable in order to get my attention and lead me back to You. Thank You for the deep sorrow I felt over my sin, because that's the surest indication that Your Holy Spirit resides in me. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
No one wants to feel bad about themselves. Unfortunately we often set ourselves up for just that when we begin to deviate from the path and plan God has for us when we sin. So long as we feel good, we have no impetus or desire to change, in much the same way that one might put off surgery until the pain becomes unbearable. That's the point where God begins to introduce discontent and unfulfillment into our lives as we choose to sin. The Holy Spirit brings an awareness of sin to us, which produces this godly sorrow. God intends for this sorrow to initiate true repentance in order to bring us back to Himself. "The kind of sorrow God wants" is a good thing. It's just a shame that we bring it upon ourselves by our choosing to sin.
Father, thank You for the times when You've made me absolutely miserable in order to get my attention and lead me back to You. Thank You for the deep sorrow I felt over my sin, because that's the surest indication that Your Holy Spirit resides in me. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 8 -- Giving, Not Taxing
Last night I was working on my taxes, and the news of more taxes on the way seemed to fill the TV airwaves. I therefore found myself flinching this morning as I first read: "We want everything to be equal. At this time, you
Last night I was working on my taxes, and the news of more taxes on the way seemed to fill the TV airwaves. I therefore found myself flinching this morning as I first read:
"We want everything to be equal. At this time, you have plenty. What you have can help others who are in need. Then later, when they have plenty, they can help you when you are in need, and all will be equal."
It seems to me that the later part never ever happens.
Before anyone goes off saying that the Bible espouses socialism and the direction America appears to be heading, I noted several points in my commentary:
1) It was giving, not taxation that was requested.
2) The gifts were given by Christians to other Christians in need.
3) They were freely and willingly given.
4) They were reminded that it wasn't a question of how much they sent. "If there is a real desire in their heart to have fellowship in this good matter, then God accepts their gift, however small it may be." I particularly noticed that it was God and not the government they were answerable to.
5) About verse 14's "equal" wording, it said, "This verse describes God's program for the relief of want in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord's purpose is that whenever a need exists in one area among CHRISTIANS, then there should be a flow of funds from other areas to that needy spot. This constant flow and interflow of funds would result in an equality among the churches world-wide. .... The lesson .. taught in Exodus and by Paul is that, among the people of God, the superabundance of one should be employed in relieving the necessity of others .." It also noted, "God permits the unequal distribution of property, not so that the rich shall selfishly enjoy it, but share it with the poor."
The wealth redistribution being espoused by government leaders today is not biblical, particularly in light of the commandment that those who do not work shall not eat. There was never a total leveling of the playing field mentioned. It wasn't about wants but about needs. How far we have come from the system God designed to care for the poor.
Father, please help us not to supplant You with the government. Please guide us back to the principles You espouse in our dealings with each other. Bring our nation back to You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"We want everything to be equal. At this time, you have plenty. What you have can help others who are in need. Then later, when they have plenty, they can help you when you are in need, and all will be equal."
It seems to me that the later part never ever happens.
Before anyone goes off saying that the Bible espouses socialism and the direction America appears to be heading, I noted several points in my commentary:
1) It was giving, not taxation that was requested.
2) The gifts were given by Christians to other Christians in need.
3) They were freely and willingly given.
4) They were reminded that it wasn't a question of how much they sent. "If there is a real desire in their heart to have fellowship in this good matter, then God accepts their gift, however small it may be." I particularly noticed that it was God and not the government they were answerable to.
5) About verse 14's "equal" wording, it said, "This verse describes God's program for the relief of want in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord's purpose is that whenever a need exists in one area among CHRISTIANS, then there should be a flow of funds from other areas to that needy spot. This constant flow and interflow of funds would result in an equality among the churches world-wide. .... The lesson .. taught in Exodus and by Paul is that, among the people of God, the superabundance of one should be employed in relieving the necessity of others .." It also noted, "God permits the unequal distribution of property, not so that the rich shall selfishly enjoy it, but share it with the poor."
The wealth redistribution being espoused by government leaders today is not biblical, particularly in light of the commandment that those who do not work shall not eat. There was never a total leveling of the playing field mentioned. It wasn't about wants but about needs. How far we have come from the system God designed to care for the poor.
Father, please help us not to supplant You with the government. Please guide us back to the principles You espouse in our dealings with each other. Bring our nation back to You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 9 -- Becoming A Cheerful Giver
"The person who plants a lot will have a big harvest. Each one should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the p
"The person who plants a lot will have a big harvest. Each one should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily. And God can give you more blessings than you need ... He will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely."
I loved what my commentary quoted from Mr. Jowett: "Cheerful giving is born of love, and therefore it is a lover loving a lover and rejoicing in the communion. Giving is the language of loving; indeed, it has no other speech. ‘God so loved that He gave!' Love finds its very life in giving itself away. It's only pride in possession is the joy of surrender. If love has all things, it yet possesses nothing."
It also mentioned, "Here we have a promise that, if a person really wants to be generous, God will see that he is given the opportunity ... a person never impoverishes himself by giving to the Lord."
To those that have little, God has granted me the ability to freely give of the resources He's provided me. To those who have possessions already, He's granted me the privilege of freely giving of my time and my love. I'm so thankful for His provision.
Father, thank You for teaching me to trust You when You told me that I can never outgive you! Thank You for the many ways You allow me to give - to show Your love by being Your hands and feet and arms on this earth. What a privilege!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
I loved what my commentary quoted from Mr. Jowett: "Cheerful giving is born of love, and therefore it is a lover loving a lover and rejoicing in the communion. Giving is the language of loving; indeed, it has no other speech. ‘God so loved that He gave!' Love finds its very life in giving itself away. It's only pride in possession is the joy of surrender. If love has all things, it yet possesses nothing."
It also mentioned, "Here we have a promise that, if a person really wants to be generous, God will see that he is given the opportunity ... a person never impoverishes himself by giving to the Lord."
To those that have little, God has granted me the ability to freely give of the resources He's provided me. To those who have possessions already, He's granted me the privilege of freely giving of my time and my love. I'm so thankful for His provision.
Father, thank You for teaching me to trust You when You told me that I can never outgive you! Thank You for the many ways You allow me to give - to show Your love by being Your hands and feet and arms on this earth. What a privilege!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 10 -- God's Weapon Of Choice For Us
"We do not fight in the same way the world fights. We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places ... people's arguments and ever
"We do not fight in the same way the world fights. We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places ... people's arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and OBEY Christ."
What are the enemy's strong places in my life? In arguments I make trying to justify my sin probably, and arguments which oppose the truth as God has revealed it.
My commentary said, "The expression against the knowledge of God could be applied today to the reasonings of scientists, evolutionists, philosophers, and religionists who have no room for God in their scheme of things ... All men's teachings and speculations MUST be judged in the light of the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ ... We must not allow our intellects to be exercised in defiance of the Lord and in disobedience to Him."
That's what I allowed myself to do when I went to college. There was a certain pride in exercising my intellect and that pride led me into myself and away from God. And although God helped me discover and undo the false thinking I'd managed to accumulate, the weapon Paul tells about here is still useful every day of my life in helping me to avoid sin, if only I will make myself use it: "Capture every thought and make it give up and OBEY Christ." If only I would do that every time and not allow myself to luxuriate in thoughts that dishonor Him, falsely trying to convince myself that so long as it remains only a thought and never becomes action that it is somehow okay - about like a dieter trying to convince himself that he deserves one rich dessert every now and then.
Keep me on a diet of the mind, Father. I like how You showed me just how little I know and how much You do know, and also how wrong-headed so many thoughts of man can be. Please continue by helping me capture every thought and make it give up and obey You. There's simply no room for indulgence.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
What are the enemy's strong places in my life? In arguments I make trying to justify my sin probably, and arguments which oppose the truth as God has revealed it.
My commentary said, "The expression against the knowledge of God could be applied today to the reasonings of scientists, evolutionists, philosophers, and religionists who have no room for God in their scheme of things ... All men's teachings and speculations MUST be judged in the light of the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ ... We must not allow our intellects to be exercised in defiance of the Lord and in disobedience to Him."
That's what I allowed myself to do when I went to college. There was a certain pride in exercising my intellect and that pride led me into myself and away from God. And although God helped me discover and undo the false thinking I'd managed to accumulate, the weapon Paul tells about here is still useful every day of my life in helping me to avoid sin, if only I will make myself use it: "Capture every thought and make it give up and OBEY Christ." If only I would do that every time and not allow myself to luxuriate in thoughts that dishonor Him, falsely trying to convince myself that so long as it remains only a thought and never becomes action that it is somehow okay - about like a dieter trying to convince himself that he deserves one rich dessert every now and then.
Keep me on a diet of the mind, Father. I like how You showed me just how little I know and how much You do know, and also how wrong-headed so many thoughts of man can be. Please continue by helping me capture every thought and make it give up and obey You. There's simply no room for indulgence.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 11 -- Who's The Bigger Fool?
Paul was letting the Corinthians know that they were becoming all too ready to listen to false teachers. By doing this, they were opening the door of their congregation to Satan. Speaking about 11:13-15, my commentary said, "evil,
Paul was letting the Corinthians know that they were becoming all too ready to listen to false teachers. By doing this, they were opening the door of their congregation to Satan.
Speaking about 11:13-15, my commentary said, "evil, we all know, could never tempt us if we saw it simply as it is; disguise is essential to its power; it appeals to man through ideas and hopes which he cannot but regard as good ... J.N. Darby once stated that Satan is never more satanic than when he carries a Bible."
The Corinthians were absorbing a lot of wrong teaching, mainly because they were practicing tolerance. Tolerance at its root assumes that one can hold sin beside oneself without being affected by it, and that's never the case. My commentary said, "They considered themselves too wise to be taken in by foolishness. But that was exactly what was happening." Our hubris can often lead us to put up with abusive treatment, thinking that we're lucky to be included. As my commentary said, "It is wonderful what people will suffer from what is false - very much more than they will endure from what is true."
Father, give me discernment as I study Your word and listen to those who teach it. Help me to line up anything I read or hear against what You say in the Bible, and make sure that it concurs with Your word. Remind me often that tolerance can help spread the sin infection.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Speaking about 11:13-15, my commentary said, "evil, we all know, could never tempt us if we saw it simply as it is; disguise is essential to its power; it appeals to man through ideas and hopes which he cannot but regard as good ... J.N. Darby once stated that Satan is never more satanic than when he carries a Bible."
The Corinthians were absorbing a lot of wrong teaching, mainly because they were practicing tolerance. Tolerance at its root assumes that one can hold sin beside oneself without being affected by it, and that's never the case. My commentary said, "They considered themselves too wise to be taken in by foolishness. But that was exactly what was happening." Our hubris can often lead us to put up with abusive treatment, thinking that we're lucky to be included. As my commentary said, "It is wonderful what people will suffer from what is false - very much more than they will endure from what is true."
Father, give me discernment as I study Your word and listen to those who teach it. Help me to line up anything I read or hear against what You say in the Bible, and make sure that it concurs with Your word. Remind me often that tolerance can help spread the sin infection.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Corinthians 12 & 13 -- What's YOUR Thorn?
Paul's thorn in the flesh has always intrigued me. He never said what it was, but we can tell that he wanted it gone. But God had already decided to leave it there and instead grant him grace. My commentary taught me a lot about
Paul's thorn in the flesh has always intrigued me. He never said what it was, but we can tell that he wanted it gone. But God had already decided to leave it there and instead grant him grace. My commentary taught me a lot about it. Paul had just spoken of divine revelation, and my commentary said:
"We learn the priceless lesson that even divine revelations of the Lord do not correct the flesh in us. Even after Paul had listened to the language of Paradise, he still had the old nature and was in danger of falling into the snare of pride."
Why don't we know what this thorn was? "No doubt the Lord purposefully failed to specify exactly what the thorn was so that tried and tested saints down through the years might feel a closer kinship with the apostle as they suffer."
The thorn in his flesh "represented an effort on Satan's part to hinder Paul in the work of the Lord. But God is greater than Satan, and He used the thorn to further the work of the Lord by keeping Paul humble. Successful service for Christ depends on a weak servant. The weaker he is, the more the power of Christ accompanies his preaching."
It said that it's as if God is telling Paul, "Just remember ... although I have not given you what you asked for, yet I am giving you what you need most deeply. You want my power and strength to accompany your preaching ... The best way to have that happen is for you to be kept in a place of weakness ... It is when we are conscious of our weakness and nothingness that we most depend on the power of God."
Father, thank You for thorns in my flesh. They keep me unwilling to brag about myself, but only about You and how You've worked in my life. Thanks for giving me not what I asked for, but what I need most deeply.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"We learn the priceless lesson that even divine revelations of the Lord do not correct the flesh in us. Even after Paul had listened to the language of Paradise, he still had the old nature and was in danger of falling into the snare of pride."
Why don't we know what this thorn was? "No doubt the Lord purposefully failed to specify exactly what the thorn was so that tried and tested saints down through the years might feel a closer kinship with the apostle as they suffer."
The thorn in his flesh "represented an effort on Satan's part to hinder Paul in the work of the Lord. But God is greater than Satan, and He used the thorn to further the work of the Lord by keeping Paul humble. Successful service for Christ depends on a weak servant. The weaker he is, the more the power of Christ accompanies his preaching."
It said that it's as if God is telling Paul, "Just remember ... although I have not given you what you asked for, yet I am giving you what you need most deeply. You want my power and strength to accompany your preaching ... The best way to have that happen is for you to be kept in a place of weakness ... It is when we are conscious of our weakness and nothingness that we most depend on the power of God."
Father, thank You for thorns in my flesh. They keep me unwilling to brag about myself, but only about You and how You've worked in my life. Thanks for giving me not what I asked for, but what I need most deeply.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Colossians 1 -- What A Friend!
"At one time, you were separated from God. You were His enemies in your minds [notice: not in His mind], and the evil thins you did were against God. But now, God has made you His friends again. He did this through Christ
"At one time, you were separated from God. You were His enemies in your minds [notice: not in His mind], and the evil thins you did were against God. But now, God has made you His friends again. He did this through Christ's death in the body so that He might bring you into God's presence as people who are holy, with no wrong, and with nothing of which God can judge you guilty."
Several things popped out at me this morning:
1) We were separated. Because of Christ's death and our acceptance of His sacrifice for us, we are no longer separated from Him.
2) We were the ones who thought we were His enemies. God loved us despite ourselves.
3) God calls us His friends. What an amazing privilege - that the divine Creator of the universe would consent to calling me His friend!
4) Through the death of His only Son, He brought us into His presence, and He calls us "people who ARE holy, with no wrong." Otherwise, we would be unable to enter His presence. Our sins are covered by the blood of Christ.
5) Through that blood and that sacrifice, we know there is nothing within us of which God can judge us guilty! Our lives have been spared by the giving of His Son's life in payment of our sins!
Father, thank You for the cross. Thank You for the love that led You to ask Your Son to go there for me. Thank You for dying for me, Jesus, so I could be with You. Thank You for calling me Your friend, Father. I'm overwhelmed by it all.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Several things popped out at me this morning:
1) We were separated. Because of Christ's death and our acceptance of His sacrifice for us, we are no longer separated from Him.
2) We were the ones who thought we were His enemies. God loved us despite ourselves.
3) God calls us His friends. What an amazing privilege - that the divine Creator of the universe would consent to calling me His friend!
4) Through the death of His only Son, He brought us into His presence, and He calls us "people who ARE holy, with no wrong." Otherwise, we would be unable to enter His presence. Our sins are covered by the blood of Christ.
5) Through that blood and that sacrifice, we know there is nothing within us of which God can judge us guilty! Our lives have been spared by the giving of His Son's life in payment of our sins!
Father, thank You for the cross. Thank You for the love that led You to ask Your Son to go there for me. Thank You for dying for me, Jesus, so I could be with You. Thank You for calling me Your friend, Father. I'm overwhelmed by it all.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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